The Excitement builds on Christmas day

I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
I am finally realizing that I have 5 days to finalize all loose end in Dallas.  I am frantically sorting my entire life's accumulation of stuff into the trash, donate and keep piles....just like on TV.  I now have a true understanding of the stress, possessiveness, and anger at having to release accumulated stuff to a better place and in many cases to the benefit of others less fortunate.  No Pain No Gain.  First step to a whole new me.  I know, I, know about time.

I'm finally coming around to every one's recommendations that my stuff may be better served thru donation or as many have offered in their own homes.  I love my friends sharing their support, sweat equity, vehicles, cab service, till we meet again lunch/dinners. I will miss ya'll!

The majority of my stuff is being donated to several non profits.  It will be used and appreciated by those less fortunate.  The rest is boxed and ready for storage.  Thus ends another chapter in my life's journey. 

My next chapter is to begin on January 10th as I begin the loooooooooooong journey from USA to AU via DFW, LAX to Sydney, AU.  I look forward to ya'll joining me for the adventure.  Come back often and let me know you are out there.
Enjoy this Special Day!

Violin/Piano Concert - Preliminary Travel Itinerary received

The 40 Day/40 nights Series at the Interfaith Peace Chapel presented a Concert by Gary Levinson the Senior Principal Concertmaster of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra accompanied by pianist Daredjana Baya Kakouberi.
The concert included Beethoven's Sonata No. 10, Ave Maria, Debussy, Ravel, Vaugner (sp).  These two were truly awe inspiring talents.
Friday I reveiw the preliminary travel itinerary.  It appears to be lengthy as it spans the entire year of 2011.  I still need to work in the Moscow/St. Petersburg leg as well as volunterr projects that I'm still researching.  Initially the departure from Houston will be January 10th, 2011 to LA, CA first class and then on to Sydney, AU.  I guess I need to step up the packing process.  I confirm tomorrow that hiring muscle to load the truck in Dallas and unload in Houstomn on the 29th is in place.   

I am currently uploading all my pictures/videos from my computer to Flickr.  Hopefully this will allow space for more pictures and videos.  Yipee!

I have recently shaved my head in preparation for my trip.  I really kinda like that it is so easy and hassle free.
Didn't think I would like it but I have been told I have a Hot head.  Who knew until you do it and then you hope it is because it took 3 months for my hair to grow back after I initially shaved my head the Tuesday after I resigned from work back in September.

Off to doze as the exterminator comes tomorrow afternoon so no critters are packed/stored with my household goods.

G-night

Finding My Way - Cross Cultural Solutions

Remember when your Mom said get off the couch and go join the Peace Corps...ok my Mom never said that either however while searching for my "Purpose in Life" I stumbled upon a program that does not require the 1-2 year Peace Corps. commitment, but allows short term volunteerism in these same locations.  The Program is call Cross Cultural Solutions.  Visit the website for more details. CrossCulturalSolutions.com 

Most of the volunteer/care giving opportunities are directed toward children (playing/arts/crafts), teaching/conversing in English (teacher aide), and car giving for the disabled.  Training is provided in the local language, history, culture and community support.  On my current around the world path the following destinations are considerations for volunteer stop overs.
China- Xian the city of the Terra Cotta Army. Near the Great Wall.
Russia - Yaroslavl - a short journey to Moscow & St. Petersburg
India - Darmasala on the Hindi side neat Tibet, I can visit the Dahli Lama; or New Delhi near the Taj Mahal.
Thailand - Bangkok
Tanzania - Killimanjaro allowing for mountain climbing either before or after the service.
Morocco- Rabat, which may be a consideration after Spain to visit Casablanca, Marrakesh prior to returning home.

I am so excited to have found this option of giving back while partaking in the immersion in the local communities. I think this will be the life changing experience that I am searching for.

Another Late Night - Jazz at the Chapel featuring Jampact

WOW, truly not what I expected from a program called Jazz at the Chapel.  The Meadows School at SMU and Jampact put on a musical, modern dance, visual (music vibrations and extreme texture) concert/audio/visual/dance performance.  I love my IPhone.  The recording is great if you take into account my hand isn't steady and I didn't know which way to hold my phone to ensure the best possible picture quality.  My finger seemed to get alot of recording time. 

The music was awesome by a quartet of piano/keyboard, bongoesque type drummer, trumpeter and electric guitarist.  The visual presentation was two fold by 2 computer graphics teams one set showing the musical vibrations by the movement of bars/blobs/etc to the sound of the musical accompaniment.  There was a very strange instrument (non musical) where types of fabric/crinoline/a doll/aluminum foil and clear plastic were somehow transformed from solid to a very cool visual texture similar to seeing almost like the cells or fibers of the material scanned.  Both of these visuals were being shot onto separate walls behind the performers.   Then from the back of the room modern dace performers came slithering up the aisle and did the most astounding dance performance.  Distracting in a good way, almost in sensory overload that makes you smile at all that is going on at the same time.

What a pleasant surprise.

Another Late Night - Moving (S**ks) Forward

Seems my best work if you call this work is always accomplished after 12am.  Go figure?  I actually made progress today, I got my moving boxes.  I immediately sat on the living room floor and cried.  Reality of this actually happening is beginning to set in.  I went to the Uptown Walmart Neighborhood Market to stock up on nibbles as I will be turning over my car on Monday.  What a relief to have one less expense to deal with.

I met the nicest lady at Treehuggers where I purchased my moving boxes.  I plug their business as they are helping the environment and giving a great value on recycled moving boxes.  She was so supportive and nice that I feel very confident that there are great people in the world that I have yet to meet and look forward to opening myself up to new experiences and friendships in the future.  You made my day.

I am now on the roller coaster timeline to see what will come up that I haven't thought about once I don't have a car. Since my big road trips are to the gym, grocery store and library to research I hardly think that a rental car sitting in my parking space is required.  There is always the bus out front or my bike depending on the weather.  Half the fun is working out the details which are themselves part of the adventure.

My household goods are headed to Houston at the end of the December with a tentative departure in mid January.  Flexibility is key.  Speaking of flexibility, shout out to my Yoga instructor.  Welcome back!  Glad you learned a lot at your 3 week retreat.  What was up with the standing on my back during child's pose to stretch my spine.  I did appreciate the head/shoulder massage.  Great class.  I am really gonna miss you.

Thanks for tuning in....G-night :-)

Another Late Night of Hostel Research

Wow, not sure I am cut out for the Hostel lodging experience.  May be able to check in for a few days at a location but not sure they are meant for a week or longer stay.  At least not form the posted reviews.  I am not of the party animal, drink until you purge, stay up all night, greet every morning with a hangover kinda guy.  Neither am I one to put up with those that are.  I may be moving on up the lodging chain to a more respectable location and surroundings.  I also researched SabbaticalHomes.com and found some interesting short term rentals however it is from a academic mindset and most of the lodging options are in suburban areas that I think would create a challenge without vehicle transportation.  I will let me travel agent work his magic on the lodging and research further once I'm local for options as needed.

I need to share success with finding a buyer for my car.  I wen to CARMAX and was provided an offer to purchase my car that is actually at about exactly what my pay off is.  I am so excited to have that option in case the 2 negotiations that I am working right now fall thru.  I am thrilled with the option of relieving myself of a car payment while I am traveling.  A great burden lifted. 

Now if I can nail down a tenant for my condo in the next 3 weeks I will be packed and headed to Houston to get this adventure started.  I am tentatively working with a friend that is yet to commit but my fingers are crossed.

How does it get to be 3:00am already there are just not enough hours in the day.  Till tomorrow. G-night

Dream to Reality

I want to get this party started to let you all know that this is an amazing time for me.  I am thrilled that you will be able to follow along and enjoy my experience as well as stay in touch.  Those that know me well understand that this is way outside my comfort zone but also know the road I have taken to get here.  It is a perfect time in my life to take a reprieve\breather from the responsibilities at are put on each of us.  I am truly blessed with an open mind and alot of sweat and tears to be able to take a year off and embark on this experience of a lifetime.

I am no jounalist (yet) so forgive my Scottism's as I take liberty to express myself as I always have much to the shock and awe of many close friends and family.  I plan to tell it like it is and express myself in an open and honest way that I always have. 

I may bore you with my early postings as I need to have a place to release my trials, tribulations, successes and progress as I continue to finalize outstanding responsibilities prior to actuall departure.  There are a few final loose ends that I am working on that include the Sale of my Car, Leasing my Condo, and packing up my home for storage.  Sounds easier than to put into action. 

Flexibility 101
The most tiring question to date is "So when are your leaving?"  See prior paragraph on finanlizing outstanding responsibilities.  The blessing is that I do not have or need a specific date.  So far this adventure started in April with a simple question "What would I need to do to take a 1 year leave and travel around the world?"  Since then the windows of opportunity have all opened and they timeline has shown itself at the right time.  I plan to continue on that pathway.  Not to push or be pushed, rather to expect things to work out in their own time.  FYI:  I am not a contestant on "The Amazing Race".

Geography
I must not have paid attention in school way back in the day or the reality is that the World has really changed alot in 35-40 years...ya think.  There sure are alot more Countries to avoid then I remember.  There sure are alot more that 8 Wonders of the World then when I was young.  Ther sure are alot of World Heritage Sites than I ever knew existed.  The world isn't bigger just better explored and documented.  I can't wait to see a small portion of what this world has to offer.